Stage 3 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California followed the same script as Stages 1 and 2: A breakaway gained a big lead. The big teams chased. Liquigas-Cannondale’s Peter Sagan won the field sprint over Garmin-Barracuda’s Heinrich Haussler.

For the most part, Garmin-Barracuda was happy to let Liquigas and Omega Pharma–Quick-Step do the lion's share of the work in the hopes that their sprinters, Sagan and Tom Boonen, might rule the day.

But heading into the base of the day’s final climb of Patterson Pass, the American Garmin-Barracuda team once again hit the front in an effort to split the peloton on Patterson’s exposed, windswept grades—just as they did on Coleman Grade during Stage 1 and the descent of Bonny Doon on Stage 2.

For Garmin-Barracuda, the aim today was simple: Keep general-classification contenders Tom Danielson and Andrew Talansky out of trouble, while putting Heinrich Haussler in a position to win the stage. That is, of course, if Haussler's chances for a stage victory would not jeopardize those of the other two GC riders.

But those goals don't have to be mutually exclusive.

At the end of stage, when a field sprint is imminent, staying at the front of the action is the safest place to be. Why? Riders at the front get to see what’s coming first ahead of them, and therefore need less time to react to what's coming. In close quarters and at high speeds, a slight touch of wheels is enough to send riders tumbling to the ground, ending their hopes for the day and, quite possibly, the race overall.

It therefore comes as no surprise that GC contenders like Danielson and Talansky ride at the front of the charging pack and work for their sprinters at the end of a stage like today’s. They’re protecting themselves, while perhaps helping a teammate grab a stage win.

Stage races like the Tour of California are rarely won during the first few stages, but they can most certainly be lost. And as we saw during last year’s Tour de France, there’s no greater blow to a team than having its biggest contender crash out of the race before the GC battle really begins.

By keeping themselves at the front and out of harm’s way, Garmin-Barracuda is protecting its troops for the crucial days ahead. In this sense, another second-place finish for Haussler and podium appearance can be seen as the icing on the cake, though surely Haussler must be itching for a win after three second-places in a row to Sagan.